Core 2 Duo E8700 vs Core i7-3555LE

Core 2 Duo E8700

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2009

Core i7-3555LE

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E8700

2 / 2

2,212

0.0%

2,238

+1.2%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Duo E8700 is positioned at rank 1020 and the Core i7-3555LE is on rank 1150, so the Core 2 Duo E8700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8700

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

36078%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

34090%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24752%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7457%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5907%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5167%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2959%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2921%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2659%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2659%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2630%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2559%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2523%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2513%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2490%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

89%

#1019

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

100%

#1020

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

100%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

99%

#1022

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

97%

#1023

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

97%

#1024

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

96%

#1026

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

94%

#1027

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

93%

#1028

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

93%

#1029

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

93%

#1030

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

93%

#1031

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

90%

#1032

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

90%

#1034

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3555LE

#1138

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3933%

#1139

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3875%

#1140

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3558%

#1141

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3542%

#1142

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3509%

#1144

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3389%

#1145

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3249%

#1146

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3244%

#1147

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3157%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

100%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

99%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

99%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1154

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

97%

#1155

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

97%

#1158

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

95%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

95%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

92%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo E8700 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-3555LE is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i7-3555LE
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo E8700 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 89% cheaper ($30 vs $280) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i7-3555LE
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+822%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 2 Duo E8700 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3555LE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8700 and Core i7-3555LE

Core 2 Duo E8700

The Core 2 Duo E8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,212 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-3555LE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE — a 9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8700 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-3555LE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8700 scores 2,212 against the Core i7-3555LE's 2,238 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3555LE.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i7-3555LE
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,212	2,238+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-3555LE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i7-3555LE
Socket	LGA775	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo E8700 launched at $256 MSRP, while the Core i7-3555LE debuted at $300. At current prices ($30 vs $280), the Core 2 Duo E8700 is $250 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8700 delivers 73.7 pts/$ vs 8.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-3555LE — making the Core 2 Duo E8700 the 160.9% better value option.